Trump's Social-Media Map of Expanded US Rattles Nordic Allies
US President Trump's social-media map showing Greenland and Iceland as part of the US has triggered diplomatic pushback from Denmark and Iceland.
A social-media post by US President Donald Trump over the Labor Day weekend has reignited tensions across the North Atlantic. The post featured a map of North America entirely in US flag colors, with the nation's territory shown extending over both Greenland and Iceland. No accompanying text explained the image.
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen described the post as "disturbing" and "completely inappropriate" in comments to national broadcaster DR. He suggested it reflected a "maximalist vision" held by the US president that European allies must counter.
Iceland's government responded more formally. Foreign and Defense Secretary Thorgerdur Katrín Gunnarsdóttir summoned US Ambassador Billy Long for a meeting, according to national broadcaster RÚV.
The move comes amid heightened sensitivity in the Arctic region. Trump has repeatedly expressed interest in acquiring Greenland, a self-governing territory of Denmark, since the start of the year. Iceland, a NATO member located just 290 kilometers from Greenland, has been particularly alert to such rhetoric.
Earlier this year, Trump mistakenly referred to Iceland four times while discussing Greenland, a gaffe that prompted Iceland's coalition government to advance a planned referendum on EU membership. That measure, framed partly as a way to strengthen ties with Europe against geopolitical instability, was rejected by voters on August 30.
Ambassador Long has also faced friction in Reykjavik. He apologized earlier this year after joking about Iceland becoming the 52nd US state, and thousands of Icelanders signed a petition urging the prime minister to reject him. Long assumed his post last month.
Trump's expansionist map follows a pattern of provocative statements toward allies. He has frequently suggested Canada become a US state, initiated a trade war with Ottawa, and recently renamed Lake Ontario as "Lake America" in a separate social-media post. Over the same weekend, he also proposed renaming the state of New Mexico as "New America."